Prince Harry's prank bombs

Sep 25, 2006, 13:19 GMT

Britain's Prince Harry ruined a friend's birthday party by throwing smoke bombs into a marquee.

The 22-year-old prince reportedly hurled the bombs into the disco tent at Lucy Kent's 21st birthday bash at her parents' house near Cirencester, Gloucestershire, causing partygoers to flee from the smoke.

Lucy - who Harry considers a close friend and who once dated his pal Guy Pelly - was said to be "horrified" by the prank.

One guest told Britain's Daily Mail newspaper: "Lucy was really cross about it. The party was meant to be an all-nighter but after Harry released these toxic things at about one o-clock in the morning everyone had to get out. Until then everybody had been dancing but the disco had to stop - he ruined it for everyone."

The prince - who was on a weekend break from his troop commanders' course with The Blue and Royals regiment in Dorset - was said to be enjoying the flowing champagne before the incident.

One guest said: "Harry was very merry. He had been knocking back champagne all night, but he had obviously planned this little jape and thought it was a right laugh."

An Army spokesman has confirmed that Harry was at "a party", but added the "bombs weren't Ministry of Defence equipment."

This is not the first time Harry - a second Lieutenant known as Cornet Wales - has got in to trouble for playing pranks.

Last year, the prince came under fire for dressing up as a German Nazi soldier for a friend's party in Wiltshire.

(C) BANG Media International